Refrigeration and venetian blind means for controlling the entry of light and heat from a window or the like



y 1966 D. N. CROSTHWAIT, JR 3,251,407

REFRIGERATION AND VENETIAN BLIND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE ENTRY OF LIGHT AND HEAT FROM A WINDOW OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. DAVID N. CROSTHWAIT, Jr

MAW?

ATTORNEYS 3,251,407 NETIAN BLIND MEANS FOR CONTRO y 1966 D. N. CROSTHWAIT, JR

REFRIGERATION AND VE LLING THE ENTRY OF LIGHT AND HEAT FROM A WINDOW OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

liiiiiilliiiiiifi' Hill! ATTORNEYS dow pane 4 (see also FIGURE 3).

United States Patent REFRIGERATION AND VENETIAN BLIND MEANS This invention relates to air conditioning and refrigeration, and more in particular to a system which includes a louver assembly in a window which is adapted to ab- .sorb or dissipate heat and to control the transmission of light and radiant heat through the window to the room or space, and which is also adapted to provide heat transfer between the occupants and the air within the room or space and a cooling fluid such as water.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved construction for cooling the air in a room or space and for controlling the passage of heat and light thereto. Another object is to provide an improved movable louver construction. Another object is to provide an improved heat transfer assembly having movable heat transfer elements. A further object is to provide an improved system for absorbing and dissipating heat to maintain the desired temperature conditions within a room or space. A still further object is to provide for the above with structures which are sturdy and durable and which are relatively simple, light in weight, inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, adaptable to various conditions of installation and use, and thoroughly practical in every respect. A still fur ther object is to provide for the above with structures which are pleasing in appearance and which are free of the faults and objectionable characteristics of prior similar constructions and systems. These and other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out below.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention with the central portion cut away;

FIGURES 2, 3, and 4 are enlarged views on the lines 22, 33, and 44 of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a unit 2 is positioned within a Window opening parallel to the win- Unit 2 comprises a stationary top assembly 6 rigidly mounted at the top of the window, and a swinging louver assembly 8 (FIG- URE 1) which is swingably supported at its top by a pair of hinge assemblies 10 (see also FIGURE 2) mounted in assembly 6. Each of the hinge assemblies 10 comprises a pair of angle brackets 12 with parallel spaced vertical webs and a pivot pin 14 mounted in aligned openings in the webs and .held in place by removable pins 16. Po-' sitioned between the two vertical webs of each hinge assembly is an eye bracket 18, which hangs on its pivot pin 14 and is welded to a horizontal angle bar which is a frame member of the louver assembly.

Louver assembly 8 comprises a rigid frame and tube assembly 21 and a set of rotatable louvers 28. Assembly 21 includes a rectangular frame of angle bars 19, 29, 21' and 23 around its periphery, a front wall 25 at the right, a rear wall 27 (FIGURE 4), and a tube assembly 31 having horizontal top and bottom header tubes 22 and 24, respectively, and a large number of vertical tubes 26, illustratively sixteen in number. Tubes 26 are rigidly vmounted at their ends in the respectively header tubes so as to provide for the flow of a liquid such as water from the bottom header tube through the vertical tubes to the top header tube. Header tubes 22 and 24 are "ice rigidly clamped to their respective angle bars 20 and 23 so as to provide support for the tube assembly.

Swingably mounted upon each of the vertical tubes is a louver 28 (see also FIGURE 4) which is formed of sheet metal with a central sleeve portion 30 snugly receivecl upon the tube 26 and two oppositely extending tangential vanes 32 having angularly disposed edge strips 34. Each of the louvers is formed by forming two strips of sheet metal into the cross-section shown in FIGURE 4 and then welding or otherwise joining the coextensive portions of the sheets together to provide double wall portions. Each of the edge portions or strips 34 is at an angle to the main vane. The snug relationship between the sleeve portion 30 of each louver and its tube 26 is such as to permit turning of the louver upon the tube with an acceptable amount of friction, and there is an excellent heat-exchange relationship between the tube and the louver.

Each of the louvers 28 is adapted tomove to any position between the fully open position shown in broken lines, where light and radiant heat passes freely through the window into the room, and the fully closed position shown in full lines, where the edge strips 34 of the adjacent louvers overlap and shut out light and radiant heat completely. In the closed position the angular relationship and the resiliency insure a thoroughly satisfactory light seal so that any light leak is minimal and insignificant.

The louvers are moved between the closed and opened positions by the operating mechanism shown at the right in FIGURES 4 and 5. Bolted to the bottom, right-hand portion of each louver is a bracket 40 which is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 42 to an operating bar 44 which extends horizontally along the louver assembly directly below the level of the bottom of the louvers, and which is supported by the pivot pins 42. Bar 44- has an angular extension 46 which extends at right angles to the bar and thence parallel again and has its extreme end connected through a pivot pin 48 to a pair of fiat crank arms 50 (FIGURE 5) positioned respectively above and below the extension 46 or bar 44. Crank arms 50 are mounted upon a fixed pivot pin 52 which projects upwardly from the bottom wall, and the crank arms have rightangle arms 54 connected through a pivot pin 56 to a pair of operating links 58. The other ends of the links 58 extend respectively above and below a nut 60 and are attached thereto by pivots 62, and nut is threaded onto a screw shaft 64. Screw shaft 64 is pivotally mounted in the rear wall 27 and a pivot sleeve 63 extending through the front wall 25. Sleeve 63 is held by a nut 65.

The forwardly projecting end of shaft 64 carries an operating knob 68 by which the shaft may be turned. Clockwise rotation moves nut 60 from the forward fullline position toward the broken line position adjacent the rear end of the screw shaft. This movement of nut 60 carries links 58 with it and swings crank arms 50 through an angle of the order of 90 to the broken line position.

This movement of the crank arms is transmitted through pivot pin 43 and swings bar 44 to the broken line position, and that movement of bar 44 turns all of the louvers to the fully open position shown in broken lines. The turning of knob 68 and shaft 64 in a counter-clockwise direction reverses the movements so as to swing the louvers back toward the closed position shown in full lines. Hence, the louvers may be operated readily by the simple turning to knob 68.

It has been indicated above that cold water is passed through the tube assembly 31. The water inlet connection to the lower header 24 is through a tube 70 shown in broken lines at the right in FIGURE 1 and extending upwardly to the top assembly 6 (see FIGURE 3). The

upper end of tube 70 is connected to a spiral tube 72 which terminates in a horizontal portion 74 which connects with a water supply tube 76. The water connection to the upper header 22 as shown in broken lines at the upper left-hand portion of FIGURE 1 and is a spiral tube 78 similar to tube 72 and terminating in a horizontal portion 86 which is connected to a water return tube 82. The front wall 84 of the top assembly 6 is hinged along its upper edge at 86 so that it may be lifted, and each of the tubes 74 and 80 extending through a slot which is of suflicient vertical dimension to permit the cover 84 to be raised.

It has been indicated above that the louver assembly is swingably mounted, and, as indicated in broken lines in FIGURE 2, it may be swung out for example through an arc of 50. As shown in the lower right and left hand portions of FIGURE 1 the louver assembly may be latched in its vertical position in the window frame by latch pins 86 which are slidably mounted upon the louver assembly and projected into eye screws 88 in the adjacent wall. The spiral tubes 72 and 78 flex during the swinging movement of the louver assembly, and are sufficiently flexible to permit free swinging movement without interfering with the liquid connections.

Louvers 28 provide for the transfer of the heat from the air and occupants in the room and they also act to control the entry of light and radiant heat through the window. The louvers are adapted to absorb radiant heat which enters the window, thus to prevent the passing of the radiant heat to the occupants and other objects within the room. Also, the radiant heat which is absorbed by the louvers is carried away by the flowing water so as to maintain the louvers at a reduced temperature. This prevents the louvers from being heated by radiant heat and then acting to radiate heat into the room. When the louvers are in the fully closed position they reflect some of the light and radiant heat which enter the window pane, and the air is cooled so as to maintain a reduced temperature condition between the louvers and the window. Also, the air within the room is cooled by the large exposed louver area so that a satisfactory air temperature condition can be maintained within the room without excessively low temperature water in tubes 26. When the louvers are partially or fully opened, the air within the room is exposed to both sides of the louvers with free circulation of the air along the louvers. Special surface coatings may be provided upon the louvers, for example, to provide increased or decreased reflection of the radiant heat on the window pane side, or increased or decreased heat absorption and dissipation on the room side of the louvers. However, for most installations, the louvers are painted or enameled in accordance with the decor of the building.

It has been pointed out above that the tube assembly with the attached louvers provides an excellent heat transfer relationship between the water or other fluid in tubes 26 and the louver surfaces which are exposed. This permits the maintenance of desirable temperature conditions within the room and comfort conditions for the occupants with a fairly small difference between the temperature of the water or other fluid in the tubes and that of the air. Therefore, the temperature gradient may be sufficiently small to avoid objectionable condensation of moisture from the air. Also, the position of the louvers may be adjusted to permit the entry of the desired amount of light and radiant heat.

During the period of the year when heating is desirable, warm or hot water or other fluid may be passed through the tube assembly so as to provide heating rather than cooling. In many respects the structure has advantages for heating which correspond to those for cooling. The temperature gradient between the exposed louver surfaces and the water or other fluid may be sufiiciently low to avoid objectionable drafts or objectionable radiant effects. The heating is by radiation as well as conduction and convection.

Under conditions where there are wide variations in the sun effect, i.e., light and heat radiation, the position of the louvers may be adjusted to provide the desired control of the light as well as the heat radiation or dis-. sipation; for example, when the fluid in tubes 26 is at or near the room temperature the louver assembly will absorb heat only when there is substantial absorption of radiant heat. With such an arrangement, the desired room temperature is maintained primarily by other heating or cooling.

As many possible embodimentsmay be made of the apparatus of the above invention and as the art herein described might be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a refrigeration system for conditioning an enclosure, 2. room having a window therein, a heat-exchange and light control unit positioned within said room par allel to and adjacent said window and adapted to pass cold liquid in heat-exchange relationship with air adjacent the window and to absorb radiant heat entering the window, said unit comprising a rigid tube assembly comprising a top header and a bottom header and a plurality of vertical heat-exchange tubes mounted at their respective ends in said headers to permit cold liquid to flow from one of said headers to the other, said tubes being positioned in a general plane parallel to said window, a plurality of louvers corresponding in number to a number of said heat-exchange tubes and mounted respectively upon said heat-exchange tubes, each of said louvers having a sleeve portion which snugly encloses its tube and provides a high rate of heat transfer between the wall of the tube and the louver, each of said louvers also including a pair of vanes projecting tangentially and oppositely from the louver sleeve with each vane being adapted to overlap and engage a vane of the next adjacent louver, and operating means to swing said louvers around the respective axes of said heat-exchange tubes.

2. In a system for conditioning an enclosure, a room having a window therein, a unit adapted to be positioned in said window in said room and comprising a tube assembly having a plurality of heat-exchange tubes rigidly mounted in parallel spaced relationship in a general plane parallel to the general plane of said window, means providing for the flow of a heat-exchange fluid through said tubes, a plurality of louvers corresponding in number to the number of said tubes and positioned respectively upon said tubes in heat-exchange relationship therewith, and operating means to turn said louvers between a closed position wherein the passage of light and radiant heat is stopped and an opened position wherein light and radiant heat may pass.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein each of said louvers comprises a sleeve snugly enclosing its tube and a pair of vanes extending oppositely from the sleeve.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said operating means comprises, a bar pivotally connected to each of said louvers, a crank arm mounted to move said bar through an arcuate path to thereby turn said louvers about their respective axes, and screw means to impart movement to said crank arm.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said screw means comprises a screw shaft and a nut threadably mounted upon said screw shaft, linkage means connecting said nut to said crank arm, and a knob mounted upon the end of said screw shaft for manual turning thereof.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 2 which includes,.

tube assembly, means swingably mounted said frame construction whereby it may be swung away from the window, and means providing flexible fluid connections to the heat-exchange tubes.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said tube assembly includes a pair of headers positioned re spectively at the top and bottom of the window and wherein said tubes are positioned vertically and are rigid- 1y mounted in said headers, hinge means providing a swingable support for said tube assembly, and a pair of spiral tubes providing flexible fluid connections for fluid flowing to and from said headers.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said hinge means and said pair of spiral tubes are directly above the top header, and wherein one of said spiral tubes provides a connection between said top header and a fixed tube and the other of said spiral tubes is connected heat-exchange fluid is cold water and the path of flow is from the bottom header through the parallel tubes to the top header.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,375,198 4/1921 Ziegler 16598 2,310,086 2/1943 Howard 165-86 3,048,375 8/1962 Walker 16586 JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES SUKALO, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR CONDITIONING AN ENCLOSURE, A ROOM HAVING A WINDOW THEREIN, A HEAT-EXCHANGE AND LIGHT CONTROL UNIT POSITIONED WITHIN SAID ROOM PARALLEL TO AND ADJACENT SAID WINDOW AND ADAPTED TO PASS COLD LIQUID IN HEAT-EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIP WITH AIR ADJACENT THE WINDOW AND TO ABSORB RADIANT HEAT ENTERING THE WINDOW, SAID UNIT COMPRISING A RIGID TUBE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A TOP HEADER AND A BOTTOM HEADER AND A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL HEAT-EXCHANGE TUBES MOUNTED AT THEIR RESPECTIVE ENDS IN SAID HEADERS TO PERMIT COLD LIQUID TO FLOW FROM ONE OF SAID HEADERS TO THE OTHER, SAID TUBES BEING POSITIONED IN A GENERAL PLANE PARALLEL TO SAID WINDOW, A PLURALITY OF LOUVERS CORRESPONDING IN NUMBER TO A NUMBER OF SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE TUBES AND MOUNTED RESPECTIVELY UPON SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE TUBES, EACH OF SAID LOUVERS HAVING A SLEEVE PORTION WHICH SNUGLY ENCLOSES ITS TUBE AND PROVIDES A HIGH RATE OF HEAT TRANSFER BETWEEN THE WALL OF THE TUBE AND THE LOUVER, EACH OF SAID LOUVERS ALSO INCLUDING A PAIR OF VANES PROJECTING TANGENTIALLY AND OPPOSITELY FROM THE LOUVER SLEEVE WITH EACH VANE BEING ADAPTED TO OVERLAP AND ENGAGE A VANE OF THE NEXT ADJACENT LOUVER, AND OPERATING MEANS TO SWING SAID LOUVERS AROUND THE RESPECTIVE AXES OF SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE TUBES. 